HSK 3
由于...因此...: Cause to Result in Chinese
由于...因此... links an explicit cause to its consequence in a relatively formal, explanatory style. 由于 introduces the cause and 因此 introduces the result. Either connector may appear without its partner when the relationship is clear, but when both are used they belong to separate clauses and should not be stacked together.
STRUCTURE
由于 + Cause, 因此 + Main result
When to use 由于…因此… — and when not
Use it when
- Explain a formal cause and consequence: 由于道路封闭，因此比赛延期。
- Connect evidence to an administrative or written result.
- Use 由于 alone before a cause or 因此 alone before a conclusion when context supplies the other side.
Don't use it when
- Do not stack 由于 and 因此 before the same clause.
- Do not reverse their roles: 由于 introduces cause, while 因此 introduces result.
- Do not leave either connector without a complete clause when both are written.
Right vs. wrong
由于因此下雨，比赛取消了。
由于下雨，因此比赛取消了。
Both connectors are stacked before the cause
由于 introduces the cause clause; 因此 must wait until the result clause begins.
由于道路封闭，因此。
由于道路封闭，因此比赛延期了。
The result connector has no result clause
因此 must introduce the consequence of the stated cause.
Examples
由于道路封闭，因此比赛延期了。
Yóuyú dàolù fēngbì, yīncǐ bǐsài yánqī le.
Because the road was closed, the competition was postponed.
由于身体不舒服，他因此提前回家了。
Yóuyú shēntǐ bù shūfu, tā yīncǐ tíqián huíjiā le.
Because he felt unwell, he went home early.
她准备得很充分，因此顺利通过了考试。
Tā zhǔnbèi de hěn chōngfèn, yīncǐ shùnlì tōngguò le kǎoshì.
She prepared thoroughly and therefore passed the exam smoothly.
Common mistakes
由于因此下雨，比赛取消了。
Yóuyú yīncǐ xiàyǔ, bǐsài qǔxiāo le.
Put 因此 before the result clause, not beside 由于.
由于道路封闭，因此。
Yóuyú dàolù fēngbì, yīncǐ.
Complete the result clause after 因此.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 由于…因此… sentence and check that grammar point first.
由于...因此...: Cause to Result FAQ
How is 由于...因此... different from 因为...所以...?
The causal logic is similar, but 由于 and 因此 are more common in formal explanation and writing.
Must 由于 and 因此 always appear together?
No. Either can appear alone when the missing cause or result is clear from the surrounding context.
Related Chinese grammar points
因为…所以
因为...所以 (Because... So)
Easy to confuse
Compare formal cause-result wording with its everyday conversational counterpart.
之所以…是因为/是由于…
之所以...是因为...: Explaining Why
Compare
Contrast cause-first explanation with a result-first focused explanation.
以致/以至于…
以致/以至于: With the Result That
Compare
Separate a neutral signaled result from a notable unintended consequence.